Dismissed Cop Waze Fights Money Laundering Charges
In a significant legal move, dismissed Mumbai Police assistant inspector Sachin Waze has approached a special court seeking the dismissal of the money laundering case filed against him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Waze has categorically stated that he did not personally benefit from a single rupee collected from bar owners, which forms the core of the allegations.
The Core Allegations and Waze's Defence
The ED's case revolves around accusations that Waze, while leading the Crime Intelligence Unit, collected money from bar and restaurant owners in Mumbai. The agency claims this was done at the behest of the then-state Home Minister, Anil Deshmukh, who is a co-accused in the case. The alleged bribe collection is said to have occurred between 2020 and 2021.
In his recent plea, Waze has put forth a multi-pronged defence. Firstly, he has challenged the prosecution on a technicality, stating that the investigators failed to obtain the mandatory sanction required under the Criminal Procedure Code to prosecute a public servant.
More substantially, Waze portrays himself as a 'victim of circumstances' and a 'whistle-blower'. His application argues that he was forced to act under the pressure exerted by Anil Deshmukh. Crucially, he contends that his alleged role—merely collecting money—does not, in itself, constitute an offence under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The plea emphatically states, "The applicant (Waze) has neither the intention nor knowledge of the further usage of the proceeds of crime nor participation in the money-laundering allegedly done by the accused Anil Deshmukh." It further highlights that the prosecution's own case does not show Waze involved in enjoying, concealing, or projecting the alleged proceeds of crime as untainted property.
Contrasting Fortunes in CBI and ED Cases
The legal landscape for Waze is complex and differs between the two central agencies investigating the matter. Both the CBI and the ED filed separate cases naming Waze, Deshmukh, and two of the former minister's staffers.
In a pivotal development, Sachin Waze was granted pardon in the CBI case, a move that often indicates the accused has turned approver to assist the prosecution. However, his fortunes reversed in the ED's case, where his plea for a grant of pardon was rejected in 2024. This rejection is why he continues to be an accused in the money laundering proceedings.
It is important to note that the trials for both the CBI and ED cases have not yet commenced. Currently, all accused individuals in these two cases are out on bail.
Waze's Current Legal Status and the NIA Case
While Sachin Waze is on bail in the ED case, his freedom remains curtailed due to another serious legal battle. He is currently in judicial custody in a separate case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
This high-profile NIA case involves the alarming incident of an explosive-laden car being found outside the south Mumbai residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The probe also encompasses the subsequent murder of a Thane-based man, which investigators have linked to the same car. This case represents a significantly more severe set of charges, keeping Waze behind bars despite his bail in the bar scam-related proceedings.
The special court is expected to hear Waze's application for dropping the ED case in the coming days, a decision that will be closely watched as it could have major implications for the other accused, including former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.
